March 11, 2008
Auburn, Ala. - Auburn freshman Gaby Beelen clinched Auburn's 4-3 upset over No. 15 Texas Christian University in a three-set thriller. Beelen dropped her first match 7-5, but came back to defeat Kewa Nichols 7-5, 6-4.
"This was an incredible match. To win without Whitney Chappell shows the heart of this team," said Auburn head coach Tim Gray. "Today is Gaby's birthday, so what a fitting present for her."
Alex Haney claimed Auburn's first singles point with a 6-1, 6-3, win over No. 67 Anna Sydorska, her first win over a ranked opponent. Sophomore Fani Chifchieva captured AU's second point winning 6-0, 6-3 over No. 87 Nina Munch-Soegaard on court one.
Auburn then dropped three matches on courts three, six and four. Melissa Koning fell 6-4, 6-4, in the three spot. Dunja Djuranovic fell 3-6, 6-1, 6-0, in the six spot. Jil Hastenrath fell 7-5, 8-6, 6-0 in the four spot.
Auburn got off to a rough start on doubles, trailing on all three courts, but the Tigers came back to win the point with two victories.
Chifchieva and Djuranovic defeated Hertzberg and Babanova in the No. 3 spot. Haney and Koning clinched the doubles point with their win over No. 14 Harkins and Sydorska. The No. 47 pair extends their winning streak to five and captured their second consecutive win over a higher-ranked opponent.
Auburn will return to SEC action on March 21, in Nashville, Tenn., to face the Vanderbilt Commodores. Auburn will return to the Yarbrough Tennis Center on March 23, to host Kentucky.
Results
Singles
1. #24 Fani Chifchieva (AU) vs. # 87 Nina Munch-Soegaard (TCU) 6-1, 6-3
2. Alex Haney (AU) def. #67 Anna Sydorska (TCU) 6-1, 6-3
3. Macall Harkins (TCU) def. Melissa Koning (AU) 6-4, 6-4
4. Katarina Tuochimaa (TCU) def. Jil Hastenrath (AU) 5-7, 7-6 (3), 6-0
5. Gaby Beelen (AU) vs. Kewa Nichols (TCU) 5-7, 7-5, 6-4
6. Idunn Hertzberg (TCU) def. Dunja Djuranovic (AU) 3-6, 6-1, 6-0
Order of finish: 2, 1, 3, 6, 4, 5
Doubles
1. #47 Haney/Koning (AU) def. #14 Harkins/Sydorska (TCU) 9-7
2. Munch-Soegaard/Touhimaa (TCU) def. Beelen/Hastenrath (AU) 8-1
3. Chifchieva/Djuranovic (AU) def. Hertzberg/Babanova (TCU) 8-3
Order of finish: 2, 3, 1